V-C denies TVR?s role

UNDETERRED by political criticism, Lucknow University vice-chancellor Prof RP Singh today said he might have to take legal measures if the Government and the district administration did not help in maintaining order on the campus. ?They would have to help me in my honest efforts to rid the university of criminals,? he said. In an interview with Hindustan Times on Tuesday, Singh vehemently denied that the Governor had a role in his decision to close the university sine die and get the hostels vacated.

UNDETERRED by political criticism, Lucknow University vice-chancellor Prof RP Singh today said he might have to take legal measures if the Government and the district administration did not help in maintaining order on the campus.

“They would have to help me in my honest efforts to rid the university of criminals,” he said.

In an interview with Hindustan Times on Tuesday, Singh vehemently denied that the Governor had a role in his decision to close the university sine die and get the hostels vacated. He said the decisions were taken at a meeting with principals of the seven degree colleges a day before he met the Governor.

Singh said he only apprised the Governor of the prevailing situation on the campus, to which the Governor simply commented, “the university is an autonomous body and it was for you to decide what action you need to take. I have nothing to say”.

Singh said he would soon issue show-cause notices to about 60 students, who had indulged in large-scale violence, attacked the residences of the teachers, misbehaved with the female members of their families, broke windowpanes and damaged over two dozen vehicles during their demonstration on the campus on November 21.

The police remained a mute spectator to the goings-on, he said.

Singh showed a bunch of letters written to the DGP since November 20 asking him to provide help ‘that never came’.

“I will not disclose the names but leaders of all the parties call me up for appointment of their near and dear ones in the university, for admission of undeserving students and for ‘helping their candidates’ in times of trouble. My refusal to oblige them is the main reason behind their anger against me,” he alleged.

Quoting from recommendations made in a study conducted on the campus, the VC said that more than 73 per cent students were against the students’ union elections in the Lucknow University. Singh said elections, as and when it was held, would be held in accordance with the code of conduct prepared by the Lucknow University on the basis of the Lyngdoh panel recommendations.

Earlier talking to media persons, Singh said the political leadership of the state had no respect for education, especially higher education. He said everybody knew what all took place inside the Assembly. On the issue of High Court order for withdrawal of gunners from student leaders, the vice-chancellor said he considered it to be a personal victory as he too had appealed to the director general of police for the same. Singh clarified that he did not intend to create any crisis situation and the decision to close the varsity sine die was taken following several incidents of violence.